Spicy Hunan Tofu Soup with Bok Choy and Shiitake
A warming broth featuring silky tofu, tender bok choy, and earthy mushrooms in a gently spicy fermented sauce. This asian ready in about 40 minutes pairs firm tofu, bok choy, shiitake mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 185 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz firm tofu
- 4 cups bok choy
- 1/4 cup shiitake mushrooms
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 2 dried red chilies
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 4 cups water
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 12 oz firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Rehydrate 1/4 cup dried shiitake mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes, then slice.
- Step 2: In a medium pot, bring 4 cups water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp minced ginger, and 2 crushed dried red chilies. Simmer for 5 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Step 3: Add sliced shiitake mushrooms and 2 cups chopped bok choy stems. Simmer for 3 minutes until stems soften.
- Step 4: Add tofu cubes and remaining 2 cups bok choy leaves. Simmer for 2 minutes until leaves wilt.
- Step 5: Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water to make a slurry. Stir into soup and cook for 1 minute until slightly thickened. Stir in 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and 1 tsp rice vinegar. Simmer for 1 minute more to blend flavors.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Hunan Tofu Soup with Bok Choy and Shiitake take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Spicy Hunan Tofu Soup with Bok Choy and Shiitake?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep firm tofu from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Hunan Tofu Soup with Bok Choy and Shiitake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Spicy Hunan Tofu Soup with Bok Choy and Shiitake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Spicy Hunan Tofu Soup with Bok Choy and Shiitake?
Asian asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
